Can long-distance relationships work? Student senators proved they are once again willing to find out.
With the controversy surrounding Student Body Treasurer Paul Drayton's ability to fulfill his duties while interning in New York City still fresh in senators' minds, Tuesday's Student Senate meeting turned tumultuous with the appointment of another Student Government official currently out of state.
Senators debated Brett Roth's ability to effectively fulfill his duties as executive director of Chomp the Vote, the agency in charge of mobilizing and registering student voters, while interning in Washington, D.C.
Some argued because Roth would not return to UF until August, he would have less than two months to get students registered before the end of voter registration.
Some senators said Roth's internship, which is with the Republican National Committee, shows improper partisanship for an official in his position. A nonpartisan student should be entrusted with encouraging students to vote, they argued.
Student Body President Kevin Reilly, who made the appointment, said he is confident in Roth's abilities to get students registered and remain nonpartisan.
Sen. Jimmy Carlsen said the position had been empty long enough, and the Senate should not wait any longer to fill it.
But not everyone was convinced.
"I would hate to leave the position unfilled any longer, but filling it with someone in Washington, D.C., is leaving it unfilled as far as I'm concerned," said Sen. Eric Wolf.
Sen. Frank Bracco, former executive director of Chomp the Vote, reached Roth by his cell phone to clarify some of his ideas.
A motion to suspend the rules and "hear the man on the phone" was passed, and in a repeat of the Drayton debate, a disembodied voice once again took the floor.
Roth proceeded to answer questions from the senators on his plans as director, which include encouraging students to register with text message notifications.
He also said because most students are unsure of the address to put on voter registrations until the fall, he would return in time to do the most important work.
Although some senators remained disappointed, Bracco said in a phone interview Wednesday that he was satisfied with the appointment.
"After I got clarification of his ideas, I was pleased, but the fact that the administration did not want to give clarification was troubling to me," he said.
